Now is the Time to Set HOA Goals

For many of us, this is a particularly busy time of the year—one in which it is hard to look very far past the immediacy of holiday parties, gift-giving, and end-of-the-year projects. Before we know it, however, it will be a brand new year—and for HOA board members, that means a fresh set of challenges and opportunities.

That makes now the best time to start thinking about your HOA goals for the coming year. 2014 will be here in a flash, so how do you want the year to look, for your community? What are some of the particular areas in which you would like to see your HOA improve?

There are plenty of examples of great, reasonable HOA goals—so if you’re stuck for ideas, here are some common HOA goals you might consider adopting:

– Improve your HOA’s communication efforts though your Association Management Company. When there is poor communication within the HOA, homeowners can become angry or unappreciative of the board’s hard work. Make 2014 the year in which you start communicating truly regularly and effectively via a newsletter or social media updates.

– Bring in some volunteers. All HOAs need volunteers in order to stay afloat. Start brainstorming some ways in which you can attract new volunteer interest in the year to come.

– Clean out your contracts, and save your HOA money. Start right now, looking through your contracts to determine which vendors you really need, which vendors you are less than pleased with, and which areas offer you the chance to possible save some money in 2014.

– Finally, think about setting the goal of improved HOA meetings. Make 2014 the year in which you become more diligent in using agendas and setting time limits to keep each meeting on track.

Not all associations will have the same goals, but it is important to be proactive in brainstorming areas of potential improvement for community best practices.